Linda B. Lasday

LASDAY: Linda B. Lasday, 74, a resident of Longboat Key, Florida and formally of Pittsburgh PA, died peacefully on July 24, 2014. She was born October 21, 1939 in Pittsburgh, the daughter of S. Stephen Berger, Esq. and Leona A. Berger. A recognized water colorist of the equestrian scene, her original paintings of horses appear in private collections. Commercially, they are seen in racetrack clubhouses both here and abroad. Within the trade, she was widely known for her impressionistic use of bright color splashes depicting thundering herds of wild horses galloping through the countryside. She painted close-ups of jockeys in high-energy racetrack scenes and majestic, precision pace of trotters in colorful sulky racing. Her vivid artistic work had often been compared to sporting scenes of famed contemporary artist LeRoy Neiman. In a critical review following a packed gallery grand opening at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts – Division of Ringling College of Art and Design – one National PBS Art critic photographed her award – winning juried entry for publication. He wrote “The painting that really stands out is (Linda Lasday’s) “Trotters”. “The first impression I get looking at this is that Toulouse-Lautrec might have painted it as a Poster for the Moulin Rouge… This picture / alone is worth a visit to the exhibition!” A graduate of the Ellis School in Pittsburgh, PA and Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY, she studied History of Art for a year in Florence, Italy. Returning to New York, Linda served as an Art Director at corporate NBC television. She created advertising materials appearing in major market newspapers, along with television commercials, promoting network documentaries and special feature programming. Returning to Pittsburgh to enter post-graduate studies in Art History at the University of Pittsburgh, she worked in public broadcasting at the studios of PBS WQED – TV. It was there that she came to the attention of iconic educator and children’s television host, Mr. Fred Rogers. Her artwork of kids and animals found its way into his printed teaching materials. In Pittsburgh, Linda taught art part-time at the Shady Side Academy Junior School. She was a third generation family member of the Hadassah, Ort, Rodef Shalom Temple and the Concordia Club. She was a sustaining supporter of several art organizations. Linda loved dark chocolate, escargot, couponing, Star Trek, poolside chats, Shih Tzu pups, cruising, bright casual fashions, science fiction, and most of all – Sunday family dinner outings. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, marketing consultant Louis Lasday; a son, Sarasota-Bradenton Foot and Ankle Podiatric Surgeon Stephen D. Lasday; daughter-in-law Renae S. Lasday, BSN, RN; and two grandsons, Spencer and Max. Additional family survivors include her brother, Attorney William Berger (Peggy) of Allentown, PA and brother-in-law, Ronald Lasday, C.L.U. (Jean) of Tampa, FL; three nieces and nephew. Private Graveside Services were held on Sunday July 27^th. The family received at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Lasday, 8417 Lone Eagle Way in Misty Creek on July 27 and on July 28 at the home of Louis Lasday, 360 Gulf of Mexico Drive, # 321, Longboat Key, Florida. Expression of sympathy to honor this remarkable woman of quiet grace, honor and wit, may be made to Temple Sinai Artistic Fund. 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, Florida 34231; or Sarah Lawrence College Scholarship Fund, Bronxville, NY 10708. Arrangements for private family services are being handled by Toale Brothers Funeral Homes, Colonial Chapel.